AlphaSys writes: Microsoft today released six security updates that patched seven vulnerabilities, including a critical Windows bug that hackers will certainly try to exploit with a network worm, according to researchers.

"This is a pre-authentication, remote code bug," said Andrew Storms, director of security operations at nCircle Security, referring to MS12-020, the one critical bulletin today and the update that he, other researchers and even Microsoft urged users to patch as soon as possible.

"It will allow network execution without any authentication, and has all the ingredients for a class worm," said Storms.